"I looked over and I saw
Kirstie [Alley]," Hines says of the final moments, after
Chelsea Kane had already been eliminated. "I thought, oh jeez, everybody loves Kirstie. But it comes down to voting... It was the fans."

Hines appreciates the fans, though not as much as he does his partner. And she'll be getting a fitting tribute in the fall when Hines resumes his full-time job as wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I'm doing a tribute to Kym every time I score a touchdown," he says. "You will see a 'Dancing With the Stars' routine somewhere in the end zone."

Won't that draw jokes from his teammates? "Now that I brought back this trophy, they can't say anything."

As for where the glittery prize is heading, Hines says he plans to put it right next to the Super Bowl MVP trophy in his house.